jgotb123

My wife and I are looking to get away to celebrate our 10th anniversary the weekend of April 2-4, 2004. We'll be driving 10 hours to drop the kids with the grandparents in Philadelphia and leaving from there.

Looking for a romantic, relaxing, luxurious 1- or 2-night getaway (possibly B&B, though most have 2-night minimums) within a short drive/flight of Phila. Would like to keep the entire weekend to <$1000. Spa services a plus.

Have enough miles for 1 free airfare on Delta, and we're willing to consider places to which we'd have to fly if we can keep the total <$1000.

Have already considered NYC (not relaxing enough), DC (also not relaxing enough), Philly's Rittenhouse or Ritz Carlton (too familiar with the area) and New Hope (gets boring after you've been there too many times.)

Also thinking about Cape May NJ, St. Michaels (Five Gables Resort, Inn at Perry Cabin, or others) or Annapolis MD, Inner Harbor Baltimore, etc. Any suggestions on these places or others would be very much appreciated.

Also concerned whether Cape May, St. Michaels, Annapolis would be dead this time of year?

Thanks for the help!

bluestructure

I live in Annapolis and downtown sure has plenty of parking right now. Some nice restaurants, sites to see. If you are looking to avoid crowds, this is the time to come. Only midshipmen out and about most days right now. Its about time for the cherry blossoms in DC and surrounding area. DC is only 30 min drive away. www.hometownannapolis.com is a good site check out reviews, places to eat/stay, etc. there is alot of bed and breakfast listings and websites on there as well.

purplefreak

Cape May won't be dead. That town stays open all year. There are so many cute B&B's. Do a search for Cape May B&B's, there is a website, I forget the name.

mclaurie

On the one hand I think it would be a shame to "waste a free ticket for such a short trip. On the other hand, after driving 10 hrs to get to Phil., who wants to drive more & you say you don't want to stay in Phil. So that leaves something very close (no personal experience but what about a visit to Longwood gardens & Winterthur with a stay at the Hilton near there?) or paying for a shortish flight from Phil.

Have you looked at site59.com for last minute deals? Also check escapemaker.com for weekend ideas.

Last thoughts-Richmond Va., Alexandria Va. (D.C. but less hectic).

Tandoori_Girl

I love Baltimore. I've stayed at a sort of boutique hotel there once, it had a sister hotel in DC. The Latham? I think that was it. There are some nice art museums in Baltimore. The inner harbor area is interesting. Take the water ferry to Fells Point (that's still on, right? after that horrendous accident?). Shop the antique stores. Eat crab cakes, drink beer. The Lexington Market is very interesting -- old underground food mall. Go to, um, Phillips I think, and have their unbelievable crab cakes, about $12 each. There's a Little Italy. Baltimore often has ethnic festivals. See what's going on, there might be one while you're there.

Are the Orioles playing then?

You could take the train in from Philly. After driving ten hrs. to drop the kids off, you'll not want to drive to Baltimore.

yk

Just want to make sure jgotb123 can find his other thread with the same title and with 11 responses (so far).
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...1&tid=34483618

vcl

Have you thought about Atlantic City? Upgraded rooms at the casino hotels are quite luxurious. Most of the hotels have at least some spa services. (Bally's is particularly nice.) Service is usually gracious. A variety of restaurants insures you'll find something you'll enjoy. And if you decide to hit the casino, you may even win a little.

Beechtree

What you decide will depend on what you like to do and see but here are a couple ideas about places relatively close to Philadelphia:

1. Seaview Marriott Resort in Absecon NJ (south of Atlantic City). Very nice with a good spa. If you play golf they have a great course and should have some specials that include golf. (There are other new excellent links type golf courses in the area that are very reasonable in April.)

2. Cape May - Lots of B&B's as indicated. Also plenty to do and if weahter is good you can take the ferry to Lewis Del. which is a nice ride and Lewis a nice town. Not sure if the tolley into Lewis is running yet or not. Prices should be manageable at excellent area restaurants.

3. Eastern Shore of Md. We stayed at a very nice manor house B&B (Great Oak Manor) which is right on the water. Nice quaint towns within driving distance. Also if weather good they have bikes I think. We brought our own and enjoyed riding...very flat area.